Rasoelbaks officially president of the Court of Justice

Judge Iwan Rasoelbaks on Friday officially became the president of the Court of Justice (HvJ). He and 11 other members of the Court were installed at the Presidential Palace. The Court of Justice finally has a president again after about 6 years.

President Chandrikapersad Santokhi pointed out that the installment of Rasoelbaks is the result of the unanimous decision of the Court of Justice which means that his appointment is supported by the judiciary. The government also fully supported the appointment of Rasoelbaks as president of the Court of Justice. The head of state also pointed out that Rasoelbaks managed to bring about a true transformation of the Court while running it as its acting president. Rasoelbaks strengthened the internal organization of the organization while expanding access to justice and establishing a website and a jurisprudence database. “One can therefore rightfully state that Rasoelbaks has made an important contribution to the improvement of the justice system and the judiciary in our country,” said President Santokhi who added that Rasoelbaks is the right person who has more plans in store for the Court of Justice. The head of state explained that the president of the Court of Justice has a special responsibility towards his colleagues. “He is the protector of the dignity of judges and the profession in general.” The head of state made it clear that the government is strongly convinced that the new president of the Court of Justice will fulfill his task uninhibitedly, impartially and conscientiously. The judges who were installed as deputy judges are Subhaas Punwasi, Deborah Haakmat-Sniphout, Albert Adelaar, Shanti Bikhari, Roy Elgin and Dayanand Bandhoe. The judges who were welcomed to the Court of Justice are Sylvana Bradley, Jane Jensen, Sabitha Nanhoe-Gangadin, I. Sonai and Alida Johanns.